Packed lounges
Aug 25, 2015, 12:12 pm
#92
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
I was able to enter the United Club at ORD when flying YYZ-ORD-SFO.
I don't know if that was a mistake by the lounge receptionist, or it was because my inbound flight was arriving from an international city and therefore "entitled" me to use the lounge for my outbound connecting domestic flight (ORD-SFO).
Aug 25, 2015, 12:18 pm
#93
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYC
Programs: AC Basic, UA MP Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, SPG Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 3,008
Packed lounges will subside in 1-2 weeks when the traffic levels come off their all time peak. In both 2014 and 2013 Traffic dropped 17% between August and September. With August being vacation month many Elites are bringing their families into the lounge; which means more people spending more time in the airport. When travelling with the family I am at the airport at least 2 hours before departure, where as transborder business trips I am usually at the airport no earlier than 1 hour before departure.
With the Amex Platinum Card I am using their lounges rather than MLL in years past. The Amex lounges were all packed, save for the Plaza Premium lounge in YYC transborder.
That said, AC traffic is up 27% from 2012 to 2015; therefore we should really be focusing our efforts on getting larger lounge space in hub markets rather than sniping about who should be cut from the lounge privileges.
One quick win for AC would be to have a hold pen for carry on rollaboard bags. Make it like a coat check at the hubs and enforce that rollaboards must be surrendered. This would solve issue of rollaboards and other carryon articles taking up seating space.
A mid term win would be a mini renovation of the hub MLL to add in additional seating. At Denver Airport Concourse C there is a Rockbottom Brewery with an interesting solution. The bard stools have a cubby hole beneath the seat for your rollaboard. This puts the rollaboard out of the way. The cubby hole can also fit a backpack. Implementation of more bar stool seating such as at DEN would provide increased seating capacity.
With the Amex Platinum Card I am using their lounges rather than MLL in years past. The Amex lounges were all packed, save for the Plaza Premium lounge in YYC transborder.
That said, AC traffic is up 27% from 2012 to 2015; therefore we should really be focusing our efforts on getting larger lounge space in hub markets rather than sniping about who should be cut from the lounge privileges.
One quick win for AC would be to have a hold pen for carry on rollaboard bags. Make it like a coat check at the hubs and enforce that rollaboards must be surrendered. This would solve issue of rollaboards and other carryon articles taking up seating space.
A mid term win would be a mini renovation of the hub MLL to add in additional seating. At Denver Airport Concourse C there is a Rockbottom Brewery with an interesting solution. The bard stools have a cubby hole beneath the seat for your rollaboard. This puts the rollaboard out of the way. The cubby hole can also fit a backpack. Implementation of more bar stool seating such as at DEN would provide increased seating capacity.
Aug 25, 2015, 12:35 pm
#94
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ, MNL, WAW
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Lifetime Plat, (now an AC nobody)
Posts: 1,978
Aug 25, 2015, 12:45 pm
#95
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: YKF
Programs: AC Elite 50K, Amex AP Plat, Choice Privileges, National Exec Elite, Via Prefrence
Posts: 2,996
Packed lounges will subside in 1-2 weeks when the traffic levels come off their all time peak. In both 2014 and 2013 Traffic dropped 17% between August and September. With August being vacation month many Elites are bringing their families into the lounge; which means more people spending more time in the airport. When travelling with the family I am at the airport at least 2 hours before departure, where as transborder business trips I am usually at the airport no earlier than 1 hour before departure.
With the Amex Platinum Card I am using their lounges rather than MLL in years past. The Amex lounges were all packed, save for the Plaza Premium lounge in YYC transborder.
That said, AC traffic is up 27% from 2012 to 2015; therefore we should really be focusing our efforts on getting larger lounge space in hub markets rather than sniping about who should be cut from the lounge privileges.
One quick win for AC would be to have a hold pen for carry on rollaboard bags. Make it like a coat check at the hubs and enforce that rollaboards must be surrendered. This would solve issue of rollaboards and other carryon articles taking up seating space.
A mid term win would be a mini renovation of the hub MLL to add in additional seating. At Denver Airport Concourse C there is a Rockbottom Brewery with an interesting solution. The bard stools have a cubby hole beneath the seat for your rollaboard. This puts the rollaboard out of the way. The cubby hole can also fit a backpack. Implementation of more bar stool seating such as at DEN would provide increased seating capacity.
With the Amex Platinum Card I am using their lounges rather than MLL in years past. The Amex lounges were all packed, save for the Plaza Premium lounge in YYC transborder.
That said, AC traffic is up 27% from 2012 to 2015; therefore we should really be focusing our efforts on getting larger lounge space in hub markets rather than sniping about who should be cut from the lounge privileges.
One quick win for AC would be to have a hold pen for carry on rollaboard bags. Make it like a coat check at the hubs and enforce that rollaboards must be surrendered. This would solve issue of rollaboards and other carryon articles taking up seating space.
A mid term win would be a mini renovation of the hub MLL to add in additional seating. At Denver Airport Concourse C there is a Rockbottom Brewery with an interesting solution. The bard stools have a cubby hole beneath the seat for your rollaboard. This puts the rollaboard out of the way. The cubby hole can also fit a backpack. Implementation of more bar stool seating such as at DEN would provide increased seating capacity.
Back to the topic at hand, I haven't really witnessed any overcrowding per se. Busy yes, but my definition if overcrowding is when ALL seats have been taken and its standing room only. I've yet to experience that and I've flown pretty much peak/off peak, morning/afternoon/night. Are the lounges busy, of course and for many reasons (which Shareholder eloquently pointed out) but I think AC likes it that way, high utilization just like they like high load factors on their planes.
And I don't think the answer to any of this, is another round of devaluation for Altitude members.
Aug 25, 2015, 12:46 pm
#96
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,359
Again, please re-read my previous post carefully.
If the capacity is 50 seats in the MLL, those seats will be on a first come first get basis. If unfortunately the SE is the 51st to arrive at the lounge and is full, it's too bad. The same applies to all those who are eligible to use the lounge. Whoever arrives first, gets the remaining seat.
If the capacity is 50 seats in the MLL, those seats will be on a first come first get basis. If unfortunately the SE is the 51st to arrive at the lounge and is full, it's too bad. The same applies to all those who are eligible to use the lounge. Whoever arrives first, gets the remaining seat.
If I show up at the gate at T-25 and the flight has already fully boarded (aside from me), they're not going to offload me because I was the last one there.
As a SE, as long as I meet the published guidelines, I'm going to be allowed on, and they'll bump someone else.
So if the lounge is going to work the same way, when I show up for my confirmed flight, they would have to go in and kick someone else out.
Please re-read my post carefully.
I was able to enter the United Club at ORD when flying YYZ-ORD-SFO.
I don't know if that was a mistake by the lounge receptionist, or it was because my inbound flight was arriving from an international city and therefore "entitled" me to use the lounge for my outbound connecting domestic flight (ORD-SFO).
I was able to enter the United Club at ORD when flying YYZ-ORD-SFO.
I don't know if that was a mistake by the lounge receptionist, or it was because my inbound flight was arriving from an international city and therefore "entitled" me to use the lounge for my outbound connecting domestic flight (ORD-SFO).
Aug 25, 2015, 12:47 pm
#97
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YQR
Programs: Nexus/GE, UA/MPG, Bonvoy Tit, LTP
Posts: 1,294
Please re-read my post carefully.
I was able to enter the United Club at ORD when flying YYZ-ORD-SFO.
I don't know if that was a mistake by the lounge receptionist, or it was because my inbound flight was arriving from an international city and therefore "entitled" me to use the lounge for my outbound connecting domestic flight (ORD-SFO).
I was able to enter the United Club at ORD when flying YYZ-ORD-SFO.
I don't know if that was a mistake by the lounge receptionist, or it was because my inbound flight was arriving from an international city and therefore "entitled" me to use the lounge for my outbound connecting domestic flight (ORD-SFO).
Aug 25, 2015, 12:52 pm
#98
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,359
It also doesn't really make sense when you have lounges in places like YWG, because all flights (where you can access the lounge) are domestic.
If they ever did something like this, I assume it would be based on how crowded it is. Because I've definitely been in an empty YYZ MLL on more than one occasion.
Aug 25, 2015, 12:58 pm
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
I know that, though my comment was referring that I don't use T2 much (under 10% of flights), and in T3/T5 I use the CX/BA/AA lounges.
Aug 25, 2015, 1:20 pm
#100
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Ottawa ON
Programs: ACSE, Fairmont Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 23
I have to agree with WR Cage - the focus shouldn't be on who to cut out, but rather to expand the facilities in major markets where overcrowding is an issue.
With increased capacity and passenger (+revenue) volumes every year, the issue is only going to get worse. Sure you could cut off E35K next year, but what about 2-3 years from now, then you'll need to go after E50K, then E75K, etc...
Several major airlines have multiple lounges available in each domestic/international terminal - so it's not like this is new territory.
It might also be a great opportunity to create that dedicated SE/confirmed J lounge to help alleviate congestion at the main MLL.
With increased capacity and passenger (+revenue) volumes every year, the issue is only going to get worse. Sure you could cut off E35K next year, but what about 2-3 years from now, then you'll need to go after E50K, then E75K, etc...
Several major airlines have multiple lounges available in each domestic/international terminal - so it's not like this is new territory.
It might also be a great opportunity to create that dedicated SE/confirmed J lounge to help alleviate congestion at the main MLL.
Aug 25, 2015, 1:44 pm
#101
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,359
I have to agree with WR Cage - the focus shouldn't be on who to cut out, but rather to expand the facilities in major markets where overcrowding is an issue.
With increased capacity and passenger (+revenue) volumes every year, the issue is only going to get worse. Sure you could cut off E35K next year, but what about 2-3 years from now, then you'll need to go after E50K, then E75K, etc...
Several major airlines have multiple lounges available in each domestic/international terminal - so it's not like this is new territory.
It might also be a great opportunity to create that dedicated SE/confirmed J lounge to help alleviate congestion at the main MLL.
With increased capacity and passenger (+revenue) volumes every year, the issue is only going to get worse. Sure you could cut off E35K next year, but what about 2-3 years from now, then you'll need to go after E50K, then E75K, etc...
Several major airlines have multiple lounges available in each domestic/international terminal - so it's not like this is new territory.
It might also be a great opportunity to create that dedicated SE/confirmed J lounge to help alleviate congestion at the main MLL.
Aug 25, 2015, 1:47 pm
#102
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 648
solution is paid (not e-uped) J and family/1 Companion
AND
Maple Leaf Club card holders.
AND ...VIP.......that's it.
No SE or any FF admittance. That would bring the lounge experience to where it should be.
I wonder if YYC rules during construction allowed SE and not MLC holders? could you imagine.
AND
Maple Leaf Club card holders.
AND ...VIP.......that's it.
No SE or any FF admittance. That would bring the lounge experience to where it should be.
I wonder if YYC rules during construction allowed SE and not MLC holders? could you imagine.
Aug 25, 2015, 1:55 pm
#103
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,359
solution is paid (not e-uped) J and family/1 Companion
AND
Maple Leaf Club card holders.
AND ...VIP.......that's it.
No SE or any FF admittance. That would bring the lounge experience to where it should be.
I wonder if YYC rules during construction allowed SE and not MLC holders? could you imagine.
AND
Maple Leaf Club card holders.
AND ...VIP.......that's it.
No SE or any FF admittance. That would bring the lounge experience to where it should be.
I wonder if YYC rules during construction allowed SE and not MLC holders? could you imagine.
Let me guess: Because you fly J, but have no status?
Aug 25, 2015, 1:59 pm
#104
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ, MNL, WAW
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Lifetime Plat, (now an AC nobody)
Posts: 1,978
With the global meltdown in the stock markets, firms will reign in their travel budgets if they haven't done so already. The issue of packed lounges will be a non-issue in a few quarters.